WILLIAM H. MITCHELSON

MITCHELSON, William H. Long-time CEO and Chairman of the Board of Salem Five. William H. Mitchelson "Bill" of Hingham, formerly of Weymouth and Fort Myers, Florida, died peacefully, on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at Lahey Hospital in Burlington, surrounded by his children. He was 83 years old. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 56 years, Mary (Foley) Mitchelson. Born on April 20, 1942, in Quincy, MA, Bill was the third child of Alexander Kidd Mitchelson and Lorraine (Sullivan) Mitchelson. Bill was raised in Quincy and during his youth, he excelled academically, starting at Saint John's Grammar School in Quincy. He then was awarded a four-year academic scholarship to Sacred Heart High School in Weymouth. At Sacred Heart, Bill was President of his class for all four years and graduated as the class valedictorian. He also was a standout athlete and was named a league all-star in both basketball and baseball. Bill scored over 1,000 points during his high school basketball career and was Sacred Heart's all-time leading scorer when he graduated. He later returned to Sacred Heart and served as the boys' basketball coach and athletic director for over 15 years. After high school, Bill received an academic scholarship to Boston College. Bill graduated from BC with a BS degree in Physics and was the Vice President of the Physics Honor Society. Bill then went on to receive his MBA from the Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. Bill started his professional career as a CPA with the firm now known as KPMG, followed by a brief stint at a consulting firm. Then, at just 39, Bill was named President of Salem Five Bank, which at the time was a troubled thrift. He spent his first two years there moving the bank from the brink of insolvency. Free to re-invent the bank over the next several years, Bill led the bank's transformation into a modern financial institution, which achieved many notable firsts, including the first bank in New England to be accessible via the internet and the first bank in the country to offer a complete virtual banking package. These accomplishments were noted in nationwide publications, including an article in The Wall Street Journal.  Bill retired as CEO of Salem Five, at age 59. At that time, the bank, combining all subsidiaries, had reached four billion dollars. After retiring as CEO, Bill stayed on as Chairman of the Board at the bank until 2022. He also devoted his professional time to other Board work, including the Board of Savings Bank Life Insurance, Cerebral Palsy of Massachusetts and Depositor's Insurance Fund for over 20 years. He was also on the Boards of Massachusetts Bankers Association and Stoneham Securities. , While Bill achieved much professional success, he took most joy in his role as a loving husband, devoted father and adored grandfather. On July 6, 1968, Bill married the love of his life, Mary, and they eventually settled in Weymouth where they raised their four children. Together they shared 56 loving years of marriage, before Mary passed away in 2024. Bill was the cherished father of Timothy Mitchelson and his wife, Jennifer of Hanover, Mark Mitchelson and his wife, Hannah of Marshfield, Maura Mitchelson of Braintree and Julie Brown and her husband, Jeffrey of Foxboro. He was the beloved "Pappy" of Jack, Brendan, Delaney, Alexander, Charles and Gavin Mitchelson and Ryan, Griffin, Thomas and Callum Brown. He was the dear brother of Sally Silva and her husband, Stephen of Weymouth and the late Alexander Mitchelson. Bill is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his godson, Matthew Steuterman; and his grandson, Aidan Brown.  In his spare time, Bill enjoyed traveling with his family and coached youth baseball and soccer in Weymouth for many years. He was a member of many fraternal clubs such as Weymouth Elks, Weymouth and Rockland Eagles, Fort Myers American Legion and the Fort Myers Moose Lodge. Armed with a quick wit and a great sense of humor, Bill loved making people laugh and enjoyed the company of his family and many friends. Bill valued his family and friendships dearly and never hesitated to lend a hand to anyone who needed it. He will be most remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather as well as a trusted and loyal friend. His legacy lives on in the lessons he taught, the stories and laughter he shared and the example that he set. He will be greatly missed. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the Visiting Hours on Sunday, June 15, 2025, from 4-8 PM, in the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home, SOUTH WEYMOUTH, at 809 Main Street (Rte. 18 opp. So. Shore Hospital). Bill's Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, June 16, 2025, at 10:30 AM, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Sacred Heart Church, 72 Washington St., Weymouth. Interment is private. See www.Keohane.com for directions and online condolences.

View the online memorial for William H. MITCHELSON